HBA-TYH H.B. 2736 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2736 By: Solomons State Affairs 3/26/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Throughout the 1990s, government, businesses, and individuals have turned increasingly to the Internet to obtain and disseminate information, products, and services. Electronic access to government services increases efficiency and lowers costs related to accessing information for the citizens of Texas, particularly in rural areas of the state. In the last two Strategic Plans for Information Resources Management, the Department of Information Resources has recommended a web-based application enabling businesses in Texas to file and renew all state required licences and permits and make electronic payment of any associated fees over the Internet. To realize this objective, state government needs to develop and implement an authentication and security system, digital signatures, and electronic indexing of government information and services. H.B. 2736 creates a task force and demonstration project to assess the current and future feasibility of establishing a common, Internet-based electronic system through which state agencies and local governments can electronically send and receive applications for business licenses and permits, including when an electronic signature is necessary, and receive any required payments. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, by adding Section 2054.062, as follows: Sec. 2054.062. ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC; TASK FORCE AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. Requires the Department of Information Resources (department) to establish a task force to assess the current and future feasibility of establishing a common electronic system using the Internet through which state agencies and local governments can electronically perform the enumerated tasks. Requires the department and the task force to implement a demonstration project showing the extent to which transactions described by this section can currently be accomplished. Sets forth the composition of the task force. Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees) does not apply to the task force. Requires the department to report the findings of the task force and the results of the demonstration project to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature and to the chairs of the committees of each house of the legislature that have primary oversight jurisdiction over the department not later than November 1, 2000. Provides that the task force is abolished and this section expires September 1, 2001. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.